Saturday, August 11, 2012

At the Music Hall: I'm Wearing my Green Fedora, 1935




I'm wearing my green fedora,
Fedora
Not Alice, not Annie, not Casey but Fedora
I usually come to town in a battered old hat of brown
But it got red/green when me and my queen go steppin' around.

She's Fussy about colors,
She's very I think,
But if she won't fix it,
Might even wear pink.

That's why I wear my green fedora.

Fedora.
Fedora is the girl I love




The popular song "I'm Wearin' My Green Fedora" was written in 1935 by songwriters, Al Sherman, Al Lewis and Joseph Meyer for the short animated film, “My Green Fedora.” The film, animated by Chuck Jones and Robert Clampett, was directed by Friz Freleng and produced by Leon Schlesinger. Released on May 4, 1935, the film was heralded for its parody of the famous act of comedic actor Joe “Wanna Buy a Duck” Penner. You’re sure to know this song, even if not from its original source. The song was featured in other films and cartoons, notably in 1936 and 1937—but, more about that later.


9 comments:

Peter Mork said...

Another transliteration:

I'll wear my green fedora,
for Dora, not Alice, not Annie, not Daisy but for Dora
I usually come to town in a battered old hat of brown (?)
But I gotta wear green when me and my queen go steppin' around.

She's fussy 'bout colors,
She's daffy I think,
But if she insisted
I'd even wear pink.

That's why I'll wear my green fedora.
For Dora, for Dora
For Dora is the girl I love

(This one ran on TV a million times when I was growing up. I was surprised to learn it was not from some Warner Bros. feature, but unique to this cartoon. Very catchy.)

Joseph Crisalli said...

Thanks for posting. It's a favorite of mine, this song and cartoon. Now, the song will be stuck in my head all day. :)

Eric M. Bram said...

(To the best of my recollection...)

I'm wearin' my green fedora, for Dora,
Not Alice, not Annie, not Daisy but for Dora.
In the very best part of town I wear my derby brown.
But I gotta wear green when me and my queen go steppin' around.

I'm wearin' my green fedora, for Dora,
Not Alice, not Annie, not Daisy but for Dora.
Those Panama hats I wore
I'd be happy to wear once more.
But when I'm with my queen I gotta wear green
Or WHAM there'll be war!

She's fussy 'bout colors,
She's daffy I think,
But if she insisted
I'd even wear pink.

That's why I'm wearin' my green fedora.
For Dora, for Dora.
For Dora is the girl I love!

Unknown said...

LOVE this one! Second best only to "I love to Singa" by Owl Jolson. LOL

sokmonkee said...

Still trying to find the singers name. Sounds like a kid but maybe just a sped up adult like Alvin and the chipmunks?

agingbuffoon said...

The singer is supposed to be Tommy Bond of "Our Gang" who also sang on the cartoon "I Love To Singa". Coincidentally the Our Gang films inspired the WB cartoon "I Haven't Got A Hat" which includes the first appearance of Porky Pig.

Echo said...

The word throughout is clearly "Fedora" (not "For Dora").

I'm wearin' my green fedora
Fedora
Not Alice, not Annie, not Daisy but Fedora.
I usually come to town in a battered old hat of brown,
But I gotta wear green when me 'n my queen go steppin' around.

She's fussy 'bout colors,
She's daffy, I think!
But if she insisted,
I'd even wear pink!

That's why I'm wearin' my green fedora,
Fedora! Fedora!
Fedora is the girl I love.

Derek said...

Marcia Purse, the song is very obviously making a play on words and uses both "fedora" and "for Dora". "Dora" is a woman's name. "Fedora" is strictly a man's hat.

Eric M. Bram said...

The song "I'm Wearin' My Green Fedora" was written by songwriters Al Sherman, Al Lewis, and Joseph Meyer, and was published in 1934.,